Betony – betonica officinalis – can be stunningly successful planted in a terracotta patio pot – favoured by bees and hoverflies – erect stems, attractive flowers and crinkly leaves make this a popular plant with us too!

Toadflax – linaria vulgaris – the native snapdragon or anthrrynum and very easy to grow – another bee favourite – a plant with poise!

Plants for sunny spots

Rock Rose – helianthemum nummularium – as name suggests, a lovely one for the rockery, or other sunny spot – flowers a deep cream with seemingly endless buds appearing.

Field Scabious – knautia arvensis – bees spend the entire summer visiting the multiple flowers on each plant – the volume of the buzzing has to be heard to be believed!

Wild Chamomile – chamaemulum nobile – one customer bought 2 to plant in pots…to rest her feet on after a day’s work: evening sunshine warming the patio, glass of wine, aroma therapy for the feet…what more do you need?!

Kidney Vetch – anthyllis vulneraria – flowers go on forever for this one too and are a food plant for the common blue butterfly.

Cornflower – centurea cyanus – flowers are a blue to defy that of any cultivated plant… and plant can carry on producing them all summer long!